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Saturday, 7 October 2017

4 Years of Friendship

Four years ago today I met @snugglingonsofa for the first time, at Juno Dawson and Maureen Johnson's event at Waterstones Piccadilly. I really wanted to meet new friends when I moved down here but I don't think I could ever have hoped to make a friend as good as Debbie has been.Over the past four years she has been there for me through good times and bad, she has supported me when I've struggled and celebrated with me when I've had things to be happy about. She's been an incredibly loyal friend and someone who has really helped me deal with my social anxiety issues, both by being a friendly face at events we're both at and by being there for me at the other end of a DM if I'm panicking at something and she's not around in person.She has also given me the confidence to do so many things I never thought I'd be able to do; she was one of the first people I talked to when I was invited onto DTRH, when I was asked to chair a panel at Waterstones Piccadilly, and when I was asked to be a YA Book Prize judge. Every time, I was doubtful as to whether I'd be good enough, and every time, I eventually went for it after she, and other friends, showed so much faith in me I HAD to have at least a little in myself. (I have tried to be as supportive to her as she had to me; I'm constantly unconvinced I've done anywhere near as good a job, but she seems to think I've been ok!)I have met so many amazing people in the last 4 years, and I hope all of them know how much I value their friendship - but Debbie's has been particularly special. Thank you for 4 wonderful years of theatre and cinema trips, book swapping, spreadsheet updating, so many DMs, cocktails and ice creams. I hope there are many more amazing things to come. (And, of course, a special thanks for appearing in SO MANY #jimsprofile pics! Here are just a few of my favourites of us.)